China approves construction of ten new nuclear reactors

China has cleared the construction of ten new nuclear reactors in 2025, marking the fourth year in a row it has approved at least ten reactors, Bloomberg reported.

As per local outlet The Paper, the new projects will involve an investment of 200 billion yuan (about USD27 billion or Rs 2.25 trillion). China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) will build four reactors at its Fangchenggang and Taishan plants. China National Nuclear, State Power Investment Corporation, and China Huaneng Group have each received approvals for two reactors.

Data from the China Electricity Council suggests nuclear capacity could reach 65 GW by the end of 2025, up from under 60 GW last year. A report by the China Nuclear Energy Association forecasts that China’s nuclear capacity may rise to 200 GW by 2040, accounting for around 10% of its total electricity output.

In 2023, China Huaneng commissioned the world’s first commercial fourth-generation nuclear reactor at Shidao Bay. The 200 MW unit uses helium instead of water to generate electricity through a high-temperature gas-cooled system.

With 30 reactors currently under construction, China accounts for nearly half of all reactors being built worldwide. By 2030, China is projected to overtake the United States as the largest producer of nuclear energy.